Strip threading apparatus



E l 1d.

Jan. 1-, 1952 D, KELLER 2,581,026

STRIB THREADING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 zgfi ,25

', INVENTOR Jan. 1, 1952 J KELLER 2,581,026

STRIP THREADING APPARATUS Filed Ma 29, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W514, @441 by Jan. 1, 1952 J QK L E 2,581,026

STRIP THREADING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lig ofio INVENTOR John DKe/ler chains without interference with ing the disadv Passes Jan. 1, 1952 2,581,026 STRIP THBEADING APPARATUS John D. Keller, Pittsburgh, Pa.,

wean m my. Ohio, aeorporation of Ohio assignor to The Inc Warren,

Application May 29, 1946, Serial No. 673,209 9 Claims. (01. 2712.1)

1 This invention relates to strip paratus, more particularly apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus. The treating apparatus may be any apparatus through which strip is moved longitudinally for treatthreading apment, such, for example, as pickling or scrubbing apparatus, heat treating apparatus, etc.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide mechanism for threading strip through treating apparatus but the mechanism which has been provided has been less than fully satisfactory in a number of respects. It has entailed the use of endless chains for drawing the strip through the treating apparatus, this creating problems as to disposal of the return reaches of the endless other portions of the apparatus. Special guides were necessary to support and guide the chains. High first cost and excessive wear resulted. Also the active reaches of the chains were disposed in paths laterally offset from the rolls in contact with which the strip was adapted to move, necessitating special supporting and guiding mechanism therefor.

Altogether the strip threading apparatus heretofore proposed has been unduly complicated and cumbersome, high in first cost and fraught with possibilities of becoming out of order and rapid wear.

I provide striafi threading apparatus overcomtages of the apparatus heretofore proposed. I eliminate the disadvantages incident to the return reaches of the threading chains by employing a flexible threading or tension member having a single reach only extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus with one end of the tension member disposed at one end of the treating apparatus and the other end of the tension member disposed at the other end of the treating apparatus. I may employ but a single tension member although it is preferable in most installations to use a pair of tension members disposed to move in paths respectively on opposite sides of and generally parallel to the path which the 'strip is tofollow through the treating apparatus. In either case means are provided for connecting a strip end to the tension member or members. The term tension means hereinafter used comprehends one or more than one tension member. The tension means is preferably guided largely by rolls of the treating apparatus in contact with which the strip is adapted to move. The tension means preferably engages the rolls at portions of the rolls laterally offset or removed from the portions of the rolls which engage the strip as the strip ll 2 moves through the treating apparatus. Preferably the device for connecting the strip to the tension means overlies the tension means and the tension means contacts with portions of reduced diameter of the underlying rolls.

I also make provision for spacing the connecting device which connects the strip ends with the tension means from the portions of the rolls which contact the strip during movement of the strip through the treating apparatus. This is done by the provision of means acting between the end portions-of the connecting device and portions of the rolls removed from the portions thereof which contact the strip. The end portions of the connecting device may have projections adapted to engage portions of the rolls removed from the portions thereof which contact the strip. The upper rolls may have radial flanges adjacent their ends engaging the end portions of the connecting device and which serve the same purpose as the above mentioned projections on the connecting device.

I further provide means for drawing the tension means endwise through the treating apparatus. While it is only necessary to provide such means for drawing the tension means in one direction, since the tension means might be returned to their initial position manually, I preferably provide such means at'both ends of the treating apparatus so that by selective operation thereof the tension means may be moved endwise in either direction. When, for example, the tension means is in the form of a sprocket chain or sprocket chains the means for drawing the tension means may be a sprocket or sprockets suitably operated by driving mechanism. While the portions of the tension means ahead of the driving means therefor may be unguided or allowed to dispose themselves in a pit or other remeans, may be operated by ceptacle, I preferably employ drums at opposite ends of the apparatus about which the tension means are adapted to be wrapped. Desirably the tension means are wound up on the respective drums when the tension means are moved endwise. While I prefer to employ driving means for the tension means separate from the drums, the drums themselves may if desired supply the driving power. The drums, and the driving means if the drums be not employed as driving electric motors. The drum means at the trailing end of the tension means may serve to maintain such means taut by being connected with its motor but with the motor not being at that time energized, the motor thereby'exerting a braldng action on the drum means.

I further provide improved mechanism insurin proper wrappin or winding of the tension means upon the drum means when the tension means are drawn endwise by means other than the drum means. A driving motor at an end of the ap aratus may drive a shaft carrying sprocket or other means for enga ing and moving endwise'the tension means and the driving motor may have a frictional driving connection with the drum shaft to cause the drum means to turn at such speed as to wrap or wind the tension means about the drum means and maintain the tension means approximately taut between the sprocket or other means and the drum means despite change in eifective drum diameter caused by wrappin or winding of the tension means about the drum means.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention in which Figures 1a and 1b taken together constitute a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view through treating apparatus for the treatment of strip, which treating apparatus is equipped with my strip threading apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the operating mechanism for the threading apparatus at the" left hand end of the treating apparatus with reference to Figure la;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 111-111 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken ontheline IV-IVofFigure2;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view through a portion of the mechanism, taken on the line V-V of Figure '1;

FigurefiisaviewsimilartoFlgurcitakenon the line VI-VI of Figure 8, showing a modified structure;

Figure 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical cross-section of a portion of the mechanism; and

Figure8isaviewsimilartol-igure7 showing a modified structure. v

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1a and lb treating apparatus designated generally by reference numeral 2 for the treatment of strip, for example,

metal strip, while the strip moves through the apparatus. In the embodiment shown the strip moves successively through five chambers, a pickling tank 3, a scrubbing chamber 4, a further pickling or cleaning tank '3, a spraying tank 3 and a drying chamber I. The particular form of treating apparatus is not important as the invention is applicable to the threading of strip through any treating apparatus of the type referred to. The strip to be treated is unwound from a coil 8 carried by a reel 3 and is adapted to be wound up upon a reel II. The strip enters the chamber 3 through a slot i I, passes between rolls I2, thence beneath rolls l3 which insure immersion of the strip in the pickling acid, thence through an opening ll into the chamber 4 where the strip passes between horizontal rows of brushes and treating rolls as shown where it is scrubbed and otherwise treated. The strip then passes through an opening I5 into the chamber 5 where it is guided by rolls is analogous to the rolls". It then passes between rolls I], through opening 13 into chamber 8, between rolls l8 and 23, beneath rolls 2|. between rolls 22 and 2 3 and out of the chamber 3 through an opening 23. The strip then enters chamber 1 through an opening 25. It is dried in the chamber 1. It emerges from that. chamber through an opening 26, whenceitpassestothereel ll. Itlstobedis tinctly understood that the treating apparatus described is simply given by way of example and may be varied at will.

The threading apparatus comprises opposed flexible tension members 21 which extend longitudinally of the treating apparatus in generally parallel paths on opposite sides of the path which the strip follows through the treating apparatus. For purposes of illustration the tension members 21 are shown as sprocket chains. Each of them is adapted to be wound up on a reel at each end of the apparatus so that altogether four reels are provided in the structure shown. The reels at the entering end of the apparatus are designated 28 and those at the delivery end are designated 23. At each end of the apparatus the two reels are directly opposed to each other and as shown are mounted on the same shaft. They are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the strip so that the chains 21 are offset laterally from the strip. However, the chains are guided by the various rolls which guide the strip, cooperating with portions of the rolls laterally offset from the portions which contact the strip as the strip moves through the treating apparatus. The chains bear against portions of reduced cross-section of the lower rolls adjacent the ends of such rolls as shown in Figures la and 1b.

The chains 21 are preferably driven by driving sprockets 30, one for each chain at each end of the apparatus. The driving sprockets of each opposed pair are preferably mounted on the same shaft. Each sprocket is in longitudinal alignment with the corresponding drum and also with the portions of the rolls which guide the 'chains. The means for driving the sprockets and drums is duplicated at the opposite ends of the apparatus, such mechanism atthe left hand end viewing Figure 10. being shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. With reference to those figures, the strip is indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 3|. The drums 28 are fast on a shaft 32 and are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the strip. They position the chains 21 so that the chains move through the treating apparatus in paths parallel to the path of the strip, the chains engaging the various rollers which engage the strip at portions of the rollers laterally offset from the portions thereof which contact the strip. The shaft 32 is mounted in bearings 33 carried by the frame of the treating apparatus.

The driving sprockets 30 are both fast on a shaft 34 parallel to the shaft 32. The shaft 34 is mounted in bearings 35 carried by the frame of the treating apparatus. The sprocket and drum at each side of the strip are coplanar as shown in-Figure 2.

The shaft 33 has an extension 36 connected through a jaw clutch 31 with a shaft 38 driven through a gear reducer 39 byan electric motor I. The shaft 33 carries a sprocket 4|. The shaft 32 has an extension 42 which has keyed thereto a friction clutch 43. A sprocket H is rotatably mounted on the shaft 42 between the opposed plates of the friction clutch 43. A,

sprocket chain 48 meshes with the sprockets 4| and 44. r

- The connecting device for connecting a strip end to the chains -2I is shown at 46. It may comprise opposed bars 4'! and 48 held together 5 by bolts 49 and adapted to clamp between them the end of the strip. The connecting device is adapted-to be connected with the chains 21 by anyv suitable means, as, for example, by hooks adapted to-engage pintles of the chains. Such lu. hooks may be connected with the outer bar 41.- In the structure shown in Figures 1-5 and 7 the inner bar 48 .has at its ends upward projections 50 and the outer bar 41, has downward projections 51 extending perpendicular to the strip, is, the portions 50 and ii being adapted to engage portions of rolls which lie respectively above and below the chains, as, for example, the rolls l2, to maintain the bar out of contact with the portions of the rolls which contact the strip during operation of the treating apparatus.

Figures 6 and 8 show a modified structure in which parts corresponding to parts shown in Figures 1-5 and 7 are designated by the same reference numerals each with a prime afiixed.

In this structure instead of the connecting device 45' having the upward projections 50 shown in Figure 5, each upper roll has opposed radial flanges 52 at its ends which engage the upper surface of the connecting device to accomplish the same function as the projections 50, namely,

to keep the connecting device out of contact with the portions of the upper rolls which engage the strip during operation of the treatin apparatus.

When a strip is to be threaded through the treating apparatus the connecting device 46 isattached to the chains at a position between the left hand sprockets 30 and the rolls I2 (Figure 1a). The forward end of the strip from the 10 coil 9 is connected to the connecting device. Those rolls in the treating apparatus which are in vertically arranged pairs are separated to permit the connecting device to pass therethrough. Thereuponthe right hand sprockets 30 and the reels-29 (Figure lb) are turned in the clockwise direction. This results in drawing the chains endwise to the right and hence moving the connecting device 46 to the right through ,the treating apparatus. But since the forward end of the strip is connected withthe connecting device it is threaded through the treating apparatus as the connecting device moves forward or toward the right viewing Figures 1a and 1b. After the connecting device and the forward end of thestrip have emerged from the chamber 1 the connecting device is removed from the chains and from the strip and the forward end, of the strip is connected with the takeup reel I0. Thereafter the threading apparatus is not used until it is again desiredto thread the treating apparatus. The chains may be run backwards or toward the left viewing Figures 1a and 117 so that most of them will be wound around the drums 28, the forward ends of the chains ex- 5 tending through the apparatus and being connected with the drums 29.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, while these figures show the driving mechanism at the left hand or entry end of the treating apparatus the 70 driving mechanism at the opposite end is similar and functions in the same way. When the chains are to be moved toward the left the motor is energized and it turns the shaft 34 upon which the sprockets 30 are mwnted as to draw the .7

to-the --left :viewing Figure 1a. The sprocket 4| through'the sprocket chain 4! drives the sprocket44.- That sprocket through the friction-clutch drives. the shaft 32 carrying the drums 23.- The shaft 32 is always urged bythe sprocket 44. to. turn at least slightly faster than necessary to wind up the chains on the drums. Of coursenthechains restrain the turning of the drums-and-hence of the" shaft so that actually the drums turn only fast enough to wind up the chains, there being slippage between the friction clutch 43 and-the sprocket 44 which allows for-the difference between the speed at which thedriving mechanism tends to drive the shaft 32 and the speed'at which the chains permit that shaft to turn. Thusthrough the frictional driving connection between the driving means and the drums the drums are caused to turn at such speed as to wind or wrap the chains thereupon or thereabout and maintain the same approximately taut between the sprockets 30 and the drums28 despite change in eflective drum diameter caused by winding or wrapping of the chains upon or about the drums. The Jaw clutch 3'! is in engagement when the motor 40 operates to move the chains to the left. When the chains are to move in the opposite direction the jaw clutch 3! on the left hand end of the apparatus is' opened, thus disconnecting the shaft 34 from the shaft'38. However,-the shaft 38 is still connected with the shaft 32 through the sprocket 4|, the sprocket chain 45, the sprocket 44, the friction clutch 43 and the shaft extension 42. When the chains are being drawn toward the right the motor at the left hand end of the apparatus is not energized and it will exert on the drums 28 a braking action tending to maintain the chains taut. I

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited-thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims. Y

I claim: l i

1. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus comprising a flexible tension member having a single reach only extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus with one end of the tension member disposed at one end of the treating apparatus and the other end of the tension member disposed at the other end of the treating apparatus, means for connecting a strip end to the tension member, driving means, a rotatable member driven .by the driving means for drawin'g'the tension member endwise, a drum in advance of the rotatable member on which the tension member'is wound,'a'-frictional driving 0 connection between the driving means and the drum through which the drum is caused'to turn at such speed as to wind up the tension member and maintain the same approximately taut between the rotatable member and the drum despite change in effective drum diameter caused by winding of the tension member on the drum and means guiding the tension member generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the tension member is drawn endwise the strip connected thereto is threaded through the treating apparatus.

2. Apparatus for threading strip through treata ing apparatus comprising a flexible tension member extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, means for connecting a strip end to the tension member, driving means, a rotatable member driven by the driving means for drawing the tension member endwise, a drum in advance of the rotatable member about which the tension member is adapted to be wrapped, a frictional driving connection between the driving means and the drum through which the drum is caused to turn at such speed as to wrap the tension member thereabout and maintain the same approximately taut between the rotatable member and the drum despite change in effective drum diameter caused by wrapping of the tension member about the drum and means guiding the tension member generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the tension member is drawn endwise the strip connected thereto is threaded through the treating apparatus.

3. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus comprising a sprocket chain extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, means for connecting a strip end to the sprocket chain, a driving sprocket for drawing the sprocket chain endwise, a drum in advance of the driving sprocket about which the sprocket chain is adapted to be wrapped, a frictional driving connection between the driving sprocket and the drum through which the drum is caused to turn at such speed as to wrap the sprocket chain thereabout and maintain the same approximately taut between the driving sprocket and the drum despite change in effective drum diameter caused by wrapping of the sprocket chain about the drum and means guiding the sprocket chain generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the sprocket chain is drawn endwise the strip connected thereto is threaded through the treating apparatus.

4. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus, which treatin apparatus includes rolls in contact with which the strip is adapted to move, comprising a flexible tension member extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, a connecting device for connecting a strip end to the tension member, means for drawing the tension member endwise, means guiding the tension member generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the tension member is drawn endwise the strip connected thereto is threaded through the apparatus and means on one of the connecting device and said rolls removed from the portions of said rolls which contact the strip engaging the other of the connecting device and said rolls for spacing apart said portions of the rolls and the connecting device.

5. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus, which treating apparatus includes rolls in contact with which the strip is adapted to move, comprising a pair of generally parallel flexible tension members extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, a connecting device adapted to bridge the space between the tension members and to be fastened to both of the tension members for connecting a strip end to the tension members, means for drawing the tension members endwise and means guiding the tension members generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus and on opposite sides of that path so that as the tension members are drawn endwise the strip connected thereto through the connecting device is threaded through the apparatus, the end portions of the connecting derolls in contact with which the strip is adapted to move, comprising a pair 01 generally parallel flexible tension members extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, a connecting device adapted to bridge the space between the tension members and to be fastened to both of the tension members for connecting a strip end to the tension members, means (or drawing the tension members endwise and means guiding the tension members generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus and on opposite sides of that path so that as the tension members are drawn endwise the strip connected thereto through the connecting device is threaded through the apparatus, the end portions of the connectin device having projections adapted to engage portions of said rolls removed from the portions thereof which contact the strip for spacing apart the portions of the rolls which contact the strip and the intermediate portion of the connecting device.

7. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus, which treating apparatus includes rolls in contact with which the strip is adapted to move, comprising a pair of generally parallel flexible tension members extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, a connecting device adapted to bridge the space between the tension members and to be fastened to both of the tension members for connecting a strip end to the tension members, means for drawing the tension members endwise and means guiding the tension members generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus and on opposite sides of that path so that as the tension members are drawn endwise the strip connected thereto through the connecting device is threaded through the apparatus, said rolls having radial flanges adjacent their ends engagin the end portions of the connecting device to space apart the intermediate portions of the rolls which contact the strip and the intermediate portion of the connecting device.

8. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus comprising a flexible tension member extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, means for connecting a strip end to the tension member, driving means, a, rotatable member driven by the driving means for drawin the tension member endwise, a drum in advance of the rotatable member about which the tension member is adapted to be wrapped, a driving connection between the driving means and the drum through which the drum is caused to turn at such speed as to wrap the tension member thereabout and maintain the same approximately taut between the rotatable member and the drum despite change in efiective drum diameter caused by wrapping of the tension member about the drum and means guiding the tension member generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the tension member is drawn endwise the strip connected thereto is threaded through the treating apparatus.

9. Apparatus for threading strip through treating apparatus comprising a flexible tension member extending longitudinally of the treating apparatus, means for connecting a strip end to the tension member, driving means, a rotatable member driven by the driving means for drawing the tension member endwise, a drum in advance of the rotatable member about which the tension member is adapted to be wrapped, means for driving the drum at such speed as to wrap 19 Number the tension member thereabout and maintain the same approximately taut between the rotatable member and the drum despite change in efiective drum diameter caused by wrapping of the tension member about the drum and means guiding the tension member generally parallel to the path which the strip is to follow through the treating apparatus so that as the tension member is drawn endwise the strip connected 2o thereto is threaded through the treating apparatus.

JOHN D. KELLER.

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